Pharmacy

Minnesota Blues Get Serious About Smoking Cessation; the cost of insuring the uninsured; and the FMLA case of Byrne v. Avon Products Inc.

FDA officials are interested in encouraging more OTC switches

The state and manufacturer work to find solutions for access to medicines

OIG wants PBMs to disclose discounts offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers

Discouraging adverse selection important issue for Medicare plans

Decision to cover self-administered injectables under medical or pharmacy benefit specific to individual plans.

HMO industry is currently in a state of flux or transition

FMCP model urges plans to think outside the cost silo when making formulary decisions

Americans support more regulation of healthcare

Instances of out of network physicians joining a network are likely to be case-specific

While Medicare tries to work out arrangements for a pharmacy benefit, Medicaid has it fairly well figured out. Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) have designed pharmacy benefits that meet the needs of their members and provide some cost savings.

With a forte for everything from anthropology to accounting to medicine, it's understandable if today's pharmacy directors feel like every piece of the managed care equation is in their hands at any given time.

With new coalitions and programs similar to commercial plans, states are keepinga handle on Medicaid drug spending

Congress rejects White House Medicare pharmacy plan while moving forwardwith its own reform strategy

The launch of OTC antihistamines helps plans cut costs, but skeptics argue that accessibility will suffer because of cost barriers

GAO report touts effectiveness of PBMs, which might be key to crafting a Medicare drug benefit

GAO report touts effectiveness of PBMs, which might be key to craftinga Medicare drug benefit

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) patient safety goals, early-stage cancer survivors at work, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2001 Health Spending Report

JCAHO, NCQA and URAC say their DM certification programs lend an added merit badge in the pursuit of value

Cutting back on basic health benefits goes against everyone's wishes,but that might be our only choice

House calls, annual prescription reviews and coordinated drug delivery reduce adverse drug reactions and hospital stays for the elderly

Legislators seek Medicare "givebacks," malpractice reform,tax credits for health insurance

National Reports- The escalating cost of pharmacy benefits gainedattention when Aetna announced that it would keep its pharmacy operationin-house and terminate its outside mail-order contract with Express Scripts.

Wellesley, Mass. - Ideally, plans should budget according to total costof care as opposed to the budget silos seen in some healthcare organizations.

National Reports - Informing and educating members is the goal of manyhealth plans of late, and CIGNA is no exception. Its PharmaAdvisor givesmembers access to an independent, objective service that allows them tomake comparisons of prescription drugs, their side effects, costs, and genericalternatives.